The Gillette Cup finals are being staged in Palmerston North this year and Otago Boys has qualified for the 10th time.
Only Palmerston North Boys High School, competing for a 12th time this year, has made more finals appearances.
The tournament is in its 20th season, and 201 schools entered the competition this summer.
Joining Otago Boys and Palmerston North in the finals are Westlake Boys High School, Hamilton Boys High School, Whangarei Boys High School, New Plymouth Boys High School, St Patricks College and Christchurch Boys High School.
The school won the Gillette Cup in 1992 and 1993 and was runner-up in 1990 and 1991.
It also finished third in 2003.
Coach Ken Rust believes his side's prospects look rosy with seven players returning from the team which finished eighth last summer.
"We're currently leading the second grade competition and can't be playing any better than we are at the moment," Rust said.
New Zealand under-19 and Green Island left-arm fast bowler Blair Soper will spearhead an attack which includes right-arm fast bowler Tom Rutherford.
Tom is the son of former New Zealand and Otago batsman Ken Rutherford and brother of Otago opener Hamish Rutherford.
Otago under-19 all-rounder Daniel Duke is another player who is expected to shine.
He bats at No 4 and bowls first change.
New Zealand junior hockey representative and talented athlete Kane Russell bolsters the all-rounder stocks.
Otago Boys plays defending champion Hamilton Boys in its opening game today.
Other teams in pool A are Westlake Boys and New Plymouth Boys.
Blue Mountain College is making its second appearance in the New Zealand Community Trust girls finals in Taupo.
The school made the finals in 2007 and finished seventh equal.
New Plymouth Girls High School has dominated the tournament, winning six consecutive titles, and will start as the favourite.
Blue Mountain College opens its campaign against Waikato Diocesan School today.
Other teams in pool B are Westlake Girls High School and Havelock North High School.
Otago Sparks top-order batsman Avana Miller and left-arm pace bowler Kate Stiven are expected to be among the leading players.
Both are in their rookie season with the Sparks.
